Parents of former Basis students - where did you go, and why

[Anonymous]

they can or cannot read.

[Anonymous]

BASIS parent - We will be going elsewhere when middle school ends. Have been debating whether to leave earlier. My DC is not a struggling student but I am very concerned with the "head in the sand" BASIS boosters. They make it convenient for BASIS not to improve and it could be a strong school for all students. Yes, racism does occur primarily from the teachers. My DC has been subjected to it many times from the stereotypical assumptions to the lack of discipline for bullies that happen to be white. For example, my DC was being seriously bullied by one and ended up being disciplined when he made an inappropriate comment about the child to a teacher. When I arrived at the school I had to get him medical treatment for the unrecognized action that had occurred prior to the statement. However, that is not why we will be leaving; I was subject to much more serious racism growing up and you can not protect your kids from it when they are an adult so this is the best time to learn how to deal with it.

We will be leaving because I am disappointed in the academics which the Boosters would see if they would stop parroting the Booster line. English is much better this year but still not to the level of Latin or Deal. They tout math but they teach to the test (process-oriented) and are so focused on eusuring that they are following the Arizona standards that the critical underlying foundation is missing. My DC has always received an A+ score in math at BASIS (DC was strong going in) so I was astounded this year to see that there were critical gaps in his mathematical foundation at the middle school level. I have begun supplementing these foundational gaps at home. I feel sorry for the poor children who think they are getting something that they are not and whose parents either don't have the literacy to identify or correct or the money for outside assistance. I am just hoping these kids don't become statistics when they assume they are great in math to seriously struggle on the SAT or in College later. I wish the Boosters would do something to help rather than be focused on the type of child coming to the school or blaming it on the children or parents. It would benefit everyone because the education would have to improve.

I do not post on the listserve because the political messages last year turned me off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a NP to this thread and a non-BASIS parent. PP, I assume you mean well but quite frankly, your posts are becoming more unhinged and you are not helping the image of the BASIS parent. I have no dog in this fight but if I were considering your school, I would seriously worry that I would be forced to drink your kool-aid or be considered some sort of troublemaker and made to feel ashamed for not sharing your opinions.

If you are a non BASIS parent what are you doing on this forum? And not just reading but even responding to it.

It is a DC Public and Public Charter Schools forum and I am a DCPS parent. Good grief. BTW, you are only further proving my point.

And you are proving my point as well. You sound like an ass and yet again are another Basis parent. This is a public forum, which is why I am begging people not to air dirty opinions or dirty laundry. Anyone who is considering Basis will do a search and this will come up long after the mistress of the universe has a Basis child who gets a bad grade and rethinks her position........ If you want to keep this kind of crap up, please take it to the list serve......... or just be quiet.

We just had a great meeting at Basis. You should have been there, instead of lecturing people on what t

BASIS parents - Is this poster indicative of the types of adults that send their children to the school? If so, wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a NP to this thread and a non-BASIS parent. PP, I assume you mean well but quite frankly, your posts are becoming more unhinged and you are not helping the image of the BASIS parent. I have no dog in this fight but if I were considering your school, I would seriously worry that I would be forced to drink your kool-aid or be considered some sort of troublemaker and made to feel ashamed for not sharing your opinions.

If you are a non BASIS parent what are you doing on this forum? And not just reading but even responding to it.

It is a DC Public and Public Charter Schools forum and I am a DCPS parent. Good grief. BTW, you are only further proving my point.

And you are proving my point as well. You sound like an ass and yet again are another Basis parent. This is a public forum, which is why I am begging people not to air dirty opinions or dirty laundry. Anyone who is considering Basis will do a search and this will come up long after the mistress of the universe has a Basis child who gets a bad grade and rethinks her position........ If you want to keep this kind of crap up, please take it to the list serve......... or just be quiet.

We just had a great meeting at Basis. You should have been there, instead of lecturing people on what t

BASIS parents - Is this poster indicative of the types of adults that send their children to the school? If so, wow.

Representative of the lunatic fringe.

[Anonymous]

Yes, thankfully most Basis parents are not like this...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BASIS parent - We will be going elsewhere when middle school ends. Have been debating whether to leave earlier. My DC is not a struggling student but I am very concerned with the "head in the sand" BASIS boosters. They make it convenient for BASIS not to improve and it could be a strong school for all students. Yes, racism does occur primarily from the teachers. My DC has been subjected to it many times from the stereotypical assumptions to the lack of discipline for bullies that happen to be white. For example, my DC was being seriously bullied by one and ended up being disciplined when he made an inappropriate comment about the child to a teacher. When I arrived at the school I had to get him medical treatment for the unrecognized action that had occurred prior to the statement. However, that is not why we will be leaving; I was subject to much more serious racism growing up and you can not protect your kids from it when they are an adult so this is the best time to learn how to deal with it.

We will be leaving because I am disappointed in the academics which the Boosters would see if they would stop parroting the Booster line. English is much better this year but still not to the level of Latin or Deal. They tout math but they teach to the test (process-oriented) and are so focused on eusuring that they are following the Arizona standards that the critical underlying foundation is missing. My DC has always received an A+ score in math at BASIS (DC was strong going in) so I was astounded this year to see that there were critical gaps in his mathematical foundation at the middle school level. I have begun supplementing these foundational gaps at home. I feel sorry for the poor children who think they are getting something that they are not and whose parents either don't have the literacy to identify or correct or the money for outside assistance. I am just hoping these kids don't become statistics when they assume they are great in math to seriously struggle on the SAT or in College later. I wish the Boosters would do something to help rather than be focused on the type of child coming to the school or blaming it on the children or parents. It would benefit everyone because the education would have to improve.

I do not post on the listserve because the political messages last year turned me off.

Thank you for your honest comments. As possibly one of the posters Basis Boosters are characterizing as "unhinged," (and there is more than one of us), here you have a thoughtful post from another Basis parent who makes most of the points we did, mentions less than advertised academics, bullying, violence, and racism. His child is not struggling academically. Please do not try to discredit his opinion, inadvertently further proving his points, and continuing to damage the reputation of our school.

PP, perhaps this is why only 2 out of the 13 who would have been in precalculus at Basis actually passed the placement test for precalculus at Walls. I wish I knew how to supplement in math, but it has really become a STEM oriented school here. The HOS this morning actually suggested self defense as an appropriate reaction under some circumstances, reiterating his "street cred" of having taught in a "tough school" in Chicago, while admitting that it might be difficult to "sort out" later which child or children were the ones to blame. But I could not believe he was so clueless. Similar fears of unfair assumptions based on race have led us to tell our children they cannot physically retaliate. As a result, the bullying continues because they are afraid reporting it will only make it worse. And we are afraid they might be right, seeing as bullying or verbally attempting to beat any critics into submission appears to be a tactic now used not only by the Boosters but by this new administration ...

Where are you thinking of going for HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS parent - We will be going elsewhere when middle school ends. Have been debating whether to leave earlier. My DC is not a struggling student but I am very concerned with the "head in the sand" BASIS boosters. They make it convenient for BASIS not to improve and it could be a strong school for all students. Yes, racism does occur primarily from the teachers. My DC has been subjected to it many times from the stereotypical assumptions to the lack of discipline for bullies that happen to be white. For example, my DC was being seriously bullied by one and ended up being disciplined when he made an inappropriate comment about the child to a teacher. When I arrived at the school I had to get him medical treatment for the unrecognized action that had occurred prior to the statement. However, that is not why we will be leaving; I was subject to much more serious racism growing up and you can not protect your kids from it when they are an adult so this is the best time to learn how to deal with it.

We will be leaving because I am disappointed in the academics which the Boosters would see if they would stop parroting the Booster line. English is much better this year but still not to the level of Latin or Deal. They tout math but they teach to the test (process-oriented) and are so focused on eusuring that they are following the Arizona standards that the critical underlying foundation is missing. My DC has always received an A+ score in math at BASIS (DC was strong going in) so I was astounded this year to see that there were critical gaps in his mathematical foundation at the middle school level. I have begun supplementing these foundational gaps at home. I feel sorry for the poor children who think they are getting something that they are not and whose parents either don't have the literacy to identify or correct or the money for outside assistance. I am just hoping these kids don't become statistics when they assume they are great in math to seriously struggle on the SAT or in College later. I wish the Boosters would do something to help rather than be focused on the type of child coming to the school or blaming it on the children or parents. It would benefit everyone because the education would have to improve.

I do not post on the listserve because the political messages last year turned me off.

Thank you for your honest comments. As possibly one of the posters Basis Boosters are characterizing as "unhinged," (and there is more than one of us), here you have a thoughtful post from another Basis parent who makes most of the points we did, mentions less than advertised academics, bullying, violence, and racism. His child is not struggling academically. Please do not try to discredit his opinion, inadvertently further proving his points, and continuing to damage the reputation of our school.

Why spending so much time and energy criticizing BASIS in here as opposed to finding a better place for you child/children and move on? It is OK not to like BASIS, nothing is perfect much less BASIS, just acknowledge it and move on. Of course, when you talk in those terms about the parents who might actually like their school, they become boosters. You do understand that you are not having a real conversation in here? Or maybe you don't....or maybe you're getting a kick out of these little fights?

[Anonymous]

DC went on to a private, and was well-prepared, and much farther ahead in science than peers at the new school. Basis also prepared child well for staying organized. Had to repeat Algebra II because no experience with proofs at Basis but still ahead of peers in problem-solving.

DC misses Basis friends a lot and goes back to visit. Very tight friend group is sorely missed. Also greatly misses the extracurricular which is not as good at private. Didn't leave out of any dissatisfaction, only that it was the plan all along following in a sibling's footsteps.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]DC went on to a private, and was well-prepared, and much farther ahead in science than peers at the new school. Basis also prepared child well for staying organized. Had to repeat Algebra II because no experience with proofs at Basis but still ahead of peers in problem-solving.

DC misses Basis friends a lot and goes back to visit. Very tight friend group is sorely missed. Also greatly misses the extracurricular which is not as good at private. Didn't leave out of any dissatisfaction, only that it was the plan all along following in a sibling's footsteps.[/quote]

Why doesn't Basis cover proofs? This seems to be a major lack.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS parent - We will be going elsewhere when middle school ends. Have been debating whether to leave earlier. My DC is not a struggling student but I am very concerned with the "head in the sand" BASIS boosters. They make it convenient for BASIS not to improve and it could be a strong school for all students. Yes, racism does occur primarily from the teachers. My DC has been subjected to it many times from the stereotypical assumptions to the lack of discipline for bullies that happen to be white. For example, my DC was being seriously bullied by one and ended up being disciplined when he made an inappropriate comment about the child to a teacher. When I arrived at the school I had to get him medical treatment for the unrecognized action that had occurred prior to the statement. However, that is not why we will be leaving; I was subject to much more serious racism growing up and you can not protect your kids from it when they are an adult so this is the best time to learn how to deal with it.

We will be leaving because I am disappointed in the academics which the Boosters would see if they would stop parroting the Booster line. English is much better this year but still not to the level of Latin or Deal. They tout math but they teach to the test (process-oriented) and are so focused on eusuring that they are following the Arizona standards that the critical underlying foundation is missing. My DC has always received an A+ score in math at BASIS (DC was strong going in) so I was astounded this year to see that there were critical gaps in his mathematical foundation at the middle school level. I have begun supplementing these foundational gaps at home. I feel sorry for the poor children who think they are getting something that they are not and whose parents either don't have the literacy to identify or correct or the money for outside assistance. I am just hoping these kids don't become statistics when they assume they are great in math to seriously struggle on the SAT or in College later. I wish the Boosters would do something to help rather than be focused on the type of child coming to the school or blaming it on the children or parents. It would benefit everyone because the education would have to improve.

I do not post on the listserve because the political messages last year turned me off.

Thank you for your honest comments. As possibly one of the posters Basis Boosters are characterizing as "unhinged," (and there is more than one of us), here you have a thoughtful post from another Basis parent who makes most of the points we did, mentions less than advertised academics, bullying, violence, and racism. His child is not struggling academically. Please do not try to discredit his opinion, inadvertently further proving his points, and continuing to damage the reputation of our school.

Why spending so much time and energy criticizing BASIS in here as opposed to finding a better place for you child/children and move on? It is OK not to like BASIS, nothing is perfect much less BASIS, just acknowledge it and move on. Of course, when you talk in those terms about the parents who might actually like their school, they become boosters. You do understand that you are not having a real conversation in here? Or maybe you don't....or maybe you're getting a kick out of these little fights?

Agree - That's what it seems to keep coming down to for that poster - she seems to think that only the handful who are unhappy and/or planning to leave Basis have a valid opinion that is allowed to be expressed - but those of us who are happy there and who are planning on staying need to go "crawl under a rock". Those of us who maybe had a problem with bullying or a struggling child but who now have gotten it sorted out and are doing much better are supposed to "shut up", how dare we talk about our own situations or share any potential solutions, that's somehow "elitist" of us. I talk to a lot of parents, and the majority of us *are* happy with Basis and even with what tend to be relatively minor issues here and there still consider it an excellent option - but apparently we are all supposed to all just sit down and shut up and kowtow to the two or three parents who want to continually dominate everything with accusations and negativity. I don't know why I need to be putting up with that. Everyone has their own valid insights and opinions, and if you want to truly have a conversation, then DON'T shut us down, accuse, or denigrate us.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DC went on to a private, and was well-prepared, and much farther ahead in science than peers at the new school. Basis also prepared child well for staying organized. Had to repeat Algebra II because no experience with proofs at Basis but still ahead of peers in problem-solving.

DC misses Basis friends a lot and goes back to visit. Very tight friend group is sorely missed. Also greatly misses the extracurricular which is not as good at private. Didn't leave out of any dissatisfaction, only that it was the plan all along following in a sibling's footsteps.[/quote]

Why doesn't Basis cover proofs? This seems to be a major lack.[/quote]

I had heard this before, too so I looked into it a little bit. BASIS uses Saxon Math and from what I've researched about Saxon (aka Googled so I am NOT an expert by any stretch of the imagination), Saxon has geometry woven throughout the curriculum, but teaches proofs at the very end of the Algebra II book. If the class doesn't get to the very end of the book, they don't cover proofs as a true geometry class would. Continuing with the Saxon math sequence however, the student would revisit proofs the following year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS parent - We will be going elsewhere when middle school ends. Have been debating whether to leave earlier. My DC is not a struggling student but I am very concerned with the "head in the sand" BASIS boosters. They make it convenient for BASIS not to improve and it could be a strong school for all students. Yes, racism does occur primarily from the teachers. My DC has been subjected to it many times from the stereotypical assumptions to the lack of discipline for bullies that happen to be white. For example, my DC was being seriously bullied by one and ended up being disciplined when he made an inappropriate comment about the child to a teacher. When I arrived at the school I had to get him medical treatment for the unrecognized action that had occurred prior to the statement. However, that is not why we will be leaving; I was subject to much more serious racism growing up and you can not protect your kids from it when they are an adult so this is the best time to learn how to deal with it.

We will be leaving because I am disappointed in the academics which the Boosters would see if they would stop parroting the Booster line. English is much better this year but still not to the level of Latin or Deal. They tout math but they teach to the test (process-oriented) and are so focused on eusuring that they are following the Arizona standards that the critical underlying foundation is missing. My DC has always received an A+ score in math at BASIS (DC was strong going in) so I was astounded this year to see that there were critical gaps in his mathematical foundation at the middle school level. I have begun supplementing these foundational gaps at home. I feel sorry for the poor children who think they are getting something that they are not and whose parents either don't have the literacy to identify or correct or the money for outside assistance. I am just hoping these kids don't become statistics when they assume they are great in math to seriously struggle on the SAT or in College later. I wish the Boosters would do something to help rather than be focused on the type of child coming to the school or blaming it on the children or parents. It would benefit everyone because the education would have to improve.

I do not post on the listserve because the political messages last year turned me off.

Thank you for your honest comments. As possibly one of the posters Basis Boosters are characterizing as "unhinged," (and there is more than one of us), here you have a thoughtful post from another Basis parent who makes most of the points we did, mentions less than advertised academics, bullying, violence, and racism. His child is not struggling academically. Please do not try to discredit his opinion, inadvertently further proving his points, and continuing to damage the reputation of our school.

Why spending so much time and energy criticizing BASIS in here as opposed to finding a better place for you child/children and move on? It is OK not to like BASIS, nothing is perfect much less BASIS, just acknowledge it and move on. Of course, when you talk in those terms about the parents who might actually like their school, they become boosters. You do understand that you are not having a real conversation in here? Or maybe you don't....or maybe you're getting a kick out of these little fights?

Agree - That's what it seems to keep coming down to for that poster - she seems to think that only the handful who are unhappy and/or planning to leave Basis have a valid opinion that is allowed to be expressed - but those of us who are happy there and who are planning on staying need to go "crawl under a rock". Those of us who maybe had a problem with bullying or a struggling child but who now have gotten it sorted out and are doing much better are supposed to "shut up", how dare we talk about our own situations or share any potential solutions, that's somehow "elitist" of us. I talk to a lot of parents, and the majority of us *are* happy with Basis and even with what tend to be relatively minor issues here and there still consider it an excellent option - but apparently we are all supposed to all just sit down and shut up and kowtow to the two or three parents who want to continually dominate everything with accusations and negativity. I don't know why I need to be putting up with that. Everyone has their own valid insights and opinions, and if you want to truly have a conversation, then DON'T shut us down, accuse, or denigrate us.

What a persecution complex! Lady, you are one crazy piece of work. It's not that you need to crawl under a rock, it's that you just never ever shut the flip up! Basis boosters are the loudest and most persistently obnoxious posters on this entire forum (and that's saying something, because there's a looney Mann parent who is so over-zealous she may actually be a realtor trying to unload overpriced real estate near National Presbyterian). You're the Philly fans of DCUM.

[Anonymous]

I think the Mann parent is also the Basis parent....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BASIS parent - We will be going elsewhere when middle school ends. Have been debating whether to leave earlier. My DC is not a struggling student but I am very concerned with the "head in the sand" BASIS boosters. They make it convenient for BASIS not to improve and it could be a strong school for all students. Yes, racism does occur primarily from the teachers. My DC has been subjected to it many times from the stereotypical assumptions to the lack of discipline for bullies that happen to be white. For example, my DC was being seriously bullied by one and ended up being disciplined when he made an inappropriate comment about the child to a teacher. When I arrived at the school I had to get him medical treatment for the unrecognized action that had occurred prior to the statement. However, that is not why we will be leaving; I was subject to much more serious racism growing up and you can not protect your kids from it when they are an adult so this is the best time to learn how to deal with it.

We will be leaving because I am disappointed in the academics which the Boosters would see if they would stop parroting the Booster line. English is much better this year but still not to the level of Latin or Deal. They tout math but they teach to the test (process-oriented) and are so focused on eusuring that they are following the Arizona standards that the critical underlying foundation is missing. My DC has always received an A+ score in math at BASIS (DC was strong going in) so I was astounded this year to see that there were critical gaps in his mathematical foundation at the middle school level. I have begun supplementing these foundational gaps at home. I feel sorry for the poor children who think they are getting something that they are not and whose parents either don't have the literacy to identify or correct or the money for outside assistance. I am just hoping these kids don't become statistics when they assume they are great in math to seriously struggle on the SAT or in College later. I wish the Boosters would do something to help rather than be focused on the type of child coming to the school or blaming it on the children or parents. It would benefit everyone because the education would have to improve.

I do not post on the listserve because the political messages last year turned me off.

Thank you for your honest comments. As possibly one of the posters Basis Boosters are characterizing as "unhinged," (and there is more than one of us), here you have a thoughtful post from another Basis parent who makes most of the points we did, mentions less than advertised academics, bullying, violence, and racism. His child is not struggling academically. Please do not try to discredit his opinion, inadvertently further proving his points, and continuing to damage the reputation of our school.

Why spending so much time and energy criticizing BASIS in here as opposed to finding a better place for you child/children and move on? It is OK not to like BASIS, nothing is perfect much less BASIS, just acknowledge it and move on. Of course, when you talk in those terms about the parents who might actually like their school, they become boosters. You do understand that you are not having a real conversation in here? Or maybe you don't....or maybe you're getting a kick out of these little fights?

Agree - That's what it seems to keep coming down to for that poster - she seems to think that only the handful who are unhappy and/or planning to leave Basis have a valid opinion that is allowed to be expressed - but those of us who are happy there and who are planning on staying need to go "crawl under a rock". Those of us who maybe had a problem with bullying or a struggling child but who now have gotten it sorted out and are doing much better are supposed to "shut up", how dare we talk about our own situations or share any potential solutions, that's somehow "elitist" of us. I talk to a lot of parents, and the majority of us *are* happy with Basis and even with what tend to be relatively minor issues here and there still consider it an excellent option - but apparently we are all supposed to all just sit down and shut up and kowtow to the two or three parents who want to continually dominate everything with accusations and negativity. I don't know why I need to be putting up with that. Everyone has their own valid insights and opinions, and if you want to truly have a conversation, then DON'T shut us down, accuse, or denigrate us.

What a persecution complex! Lady, you are one crazy piece of work. It's not that you need to crawl under a rock, it's that you just never ever shut the flip up! Basis boosters are the loudest and most persistently obnoxious posters on this entire forum (and that's saying something, because there's a looney Mann parent who is so over-zealous she may actually be a realtor trying to unload overpriced real estate near National Presbyterian). You're the Philly fans of DCUM.

OH MY GAAAWD YOU GODDAMN BASIS PEOPLE ARE SOO GODDAMN OBNOXIOUS I CAN'T STAND THAT YOU CONSTANTLY HAVE GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE SCHOOL, HOW DAAAAAARE YOU!!!!

</sarcasm>

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

Why doesn't Basis cover proofs? This seems to be a major lack.[/quote]

I had heard this before, too so I looked into it a little bit. BASIS uses Saxon Math and from what I've researched about Saxon (aka Googled so I am NOT an expert by any stretch of the imagination), Saxon has geometry woven throughout the curriculum, but teaches proofs at the very end of the Algebra II book. If the class doesn't get to the very end of the book, they don't cover proofs as a true geometry class would. Continuing with the Saxon math sequence however, the student would revisit proofs the following year. [/quote]

Actually, Saxon math covers proofs extensively in Advance Mathematics (Pre-calculus). Students cover the equivalent of a full year of high school geometry over the course of Algebra 1 and 2 and Pre-Calculus. By weaving geometry though out these course leads to better retention. Also, BASIS has a very good track record with AP Calculus test results by using Saxon math.